The White House has expressed its indignation at the trial of journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia, reiterating its commitment to securing the release of both him and fellow detained American Paul Whelan. The administration views their detentions as a bargaining chip used by Russia and is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to bring them home.
Iran and Sweden have agreed to a prisoner swap, freeing Hamid Nouri, who Sweden convicted of war crimes related to mass executions in Iran. In exchange, Iran has released Johan Floderus, a Swedish national working for the European Union, and Saeed Azizi. Oman served as a mediator in facilitating the swap, which saw Nouri return to Tehran and the Swedish citizens fly home.
WNBA superstar Brittney Griner has disclosed that she considered suicide while serving a nine-month prison term in Russia, which left her feeling dehumanized. Detained at Moscow airport in February 2022 on drug charges, she was sentenced to nine years in prison. Griner shared her harrowing experience in an upcoming ABC Television interview, recounting the unsanitary and intimidating conditions she endured. Freed in December 2022 as part of a prisoner swap, Griner vowed never to play basketball abroad again. Her full interview will air on May 1, ahead of the release of her memoir detailing her ordeal.
Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who endured nine months of imprisonment in Russia, has broken her silence in an exclusive interview with ’20/20.’ Griner shares her harrowing experience, reflecting on the fear, hopelessness, and thoughts of ending her life. Despite the turmoil, she credits her family, faith, and the support of her community with sustaining her through the ordeal.
American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been denied bail and will remain jailed in Russia on espionage charges until at least June 30th. The 32-year-old has been detained since March 2023 and has repeatedly denied the charges against him. The U.S. government considers him to be wrongfully detained and has proposed a prisoner swap to secure his release, but Russia has rejected the offer. Gershkovich’s detention has raised concerns about the treatment of journalists in Russia and the potential for political prisoner exchanges amidst heightened U.S.-Russian tensions.
Brittney Griner’s journey from Olympic champion to prisoner to her eventual release from Russian detainment will be explored in an upcoming sit-down interview with Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts. In the interview, Griner will candidly discuss her harrowing arrest, time in prison, and the challenges she faced as a political prisoner. The interview will also feature footage from inside Griner’s home and interviews with her wife, attorney, and agent.
In her first interview since her release from a Russian prison, WNBA star Brittney Griner has revealed that she felt suicidal and struggled with the conditions of her confinement. Griner was arrested in February 2022 and sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession. She was released in December 2022 as part of a prisoner swap with Russia. In her interview with Robin Roberts of 20/20, Griner described the moment she was arrested and sentenced as her “lowest moment.” She said she felt “less than human” in prison and that she didn’t think she could “get through what [she] needed to get through.” The full interview will air on May 1 on ABC.
